Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations of his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities were denied. The VA examiner found that the condition was manifested by sensory motor symptoms more nearly approximating disability tantamount to moderately severe incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve since September 24, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between his claimed conditions and active service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to cardiovascular or lung disorder, as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's symptoms of abnormal kyphosis from March 5, 2008 to May 30, 2011 met the criteria for a 20% evaluation.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for residuals of cyst removal from the left chest was granted. However, he is not entitled to a higher rating or separate ratings for his nerve injury and scar.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding that her Scheuermann's kyphosis and/or defect of the posterior elements of S1 pre-existed service. The other back disorders were not shown to have been incurred or aggravated during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, have been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for peripheral neuropathy of his right and left upper extremities, finding that there was no evidence of moderate incomplete paralysis of the median nerve in either arm.

The Veteran's claim seeking an earlier effective date for the award of a total disability evaluation is dismissed as he cannot receive such without showing clear and unmistakable error in the final rating decisions.

The Veteran's hypertension, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of each lower and upper extremity, diabetic gastroparesis, and angina are rated as 70 percent disabling combined. The RO has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal and neurologic disabilities, including hip disability, low back disability, peripheral neuropathy/radiculopathy of the lower extremities, neck disability, bilateral knee disability, cervical radiculopathy, right thumb sprain residuals, left ankle sprain residuals, and dermatitis have been denied. The Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability is not considered to be a proximate cause of these disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD, residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right elbow, and traumatic brain injury have been withdrawn. The Board finds that his current rating for right sural nerve neuropathy is appropriate at 10 percent.

The Board finds that the Veteran's vision loss is due to refractive error and not related to service. The claims for sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, and nerve disability of the feet are remanded for further development.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for peripheral neuropathy of his upper extremities that he contends is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board finds the VA examination reports inadequate and requires a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of each extremity, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his claim for a chronic skin disorder. The Board also found that there was no evidence of peripheral neuropathy within one year after service separation or due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's left arm disability has been rated at 40 percent, and he is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and a foot rash due to lack of evidence of herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome and peripheral neuropathy, were denied by the Board. The Veteran was found not to have current disabilities related to these conditions, with the exception of chronic fatigue syndrome which was granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the issues of increased ratings for PTSD and diabetes mellitus, as well as service connection for arthritis and peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran will be provided with new VA examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and to provide etiological opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected conditions and any newly diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board grants TDIU based on this finding.